Introduction

The people's congress system has vitality and distinctive institutional strengths because it is deeply rooted among the people. Deputies to people's congresses come from the people and remain firmly grounded among them. Their research reaches into every facet of society, their voices align with the pulse of the times, and their performance of duties responds directly to people's needs and expectations.

A great institution calls for compelling storytelling. The People's Congresses Journal has studied and implemented General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions on upholding and improving the people's congress system, fully leveraged its role as the principal platform of people's congresses for publicity and documenting public opinion, and actively carried out the themed campaign "Frontline Deputies in Action." Over nearly two years, the journal tracked and reported on the performance of 495 grassroots deputies across 31 provincial-level regions. The coverage demonstrates deputies' people-centered commitment, exemplifies "the people are the masters of the country" and conveys the essence of Chinese democracy.

Over the past two years, from the forests and snowy plains of Northeast China to the shores of the South China Sea, from the snowy plateau to the ancient canals of Jiangnan water towns, these heartfelt voices have echoed across a country alive with development and progress. Through the journal, stories of deputies' performance have been widely shared, enabling more people to hear, see and feel their sense of responsibility as they speak for the people and contribute to the country's development.

Publicity and reporting on deputies' duty performance is a core task for news divisions of people's congresses and a statutory responsibility stipulated in the revised Law on Deputies to the National People's Congress and to the Local People's Congresses at Various Levels. General Secretary Xi has emphasized that "People's congresses should give full play to the role of their deputies and see to it that they respond to the calls of the people", and that "deputies to people's congresses shoulder the honorable duties entrusted to them by the people, they should stand firm politically, fulfill their political responsibilities, keep close ties with the people, and conduct themselves in ways that befit people's congress deputies in the new era." These important instructions provide fundamental guidance for advancing publicity on deputies' work.

On July 26, 2024, at a symposium marking the 30th anniversary of the People's Congresses Journal, Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, noted that deputies performing their duties in accordance with the law is an important manifestation of the people being the masters of the country, and that publicity on deputies, especially grassroots deputies, should be strengthened through vivid storytelling.

To carry out the themed publicity campaign, journalists of the People's Congresses Journal traveled across the country, moving between fields and city streets, factories, hospitals and schools. Their writing on deputies' duty performance offered vivid examples showcasing that "the people are the masters of the country," and provided strong momentum to the high-quality development of people's congress work.

Sensing the original aspiration and mission: Writing moving duty performance stories with faith and perseverance

Ma Huijuan, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress. [Photo/npc.gov.cn]

After the 30th anniversary symposium, journalists quickly packed their bags and set off for fields, factories and streets, focusing their reporting on grassroots deputies.

On the loess land of Hongsibu in Ningxia Hui autonomous region, rural deputy Ma Huijuan once said, "It is the times that have given me a new life." Once forced by poverty to drop out of school in Xihaigu, she later benefited from the Fujian-Ningxia paired assistance program and relocation policies. With land irrigated by water diverted from the Yellow River, her fellow villagers were no longer "trapped by water scarcity or impoverished by mountains".

Just as wheat takes root and sprouts in the fields, vivid stories come from those deeply rooted in the soil. For more than a decade, Ma has written over one million words on her mobile phone, publishing eight books and telling the story of 230,000 relocated residents transforming their world together.

"My story is not a legend; it's a reflection of the advantages of the socialist system under the leadership of the Communist Party of China." Standing beneath a water conservancy hub pumping Yellow River water 300 meters upward, journalists understood that such warmth could only be felt on the ground.

In Wuxing village of Beichuan Qiang autonomous county, Sichuan province, NPC deputy Yu Shaorong, also the village Party branch secretary, talked about her livelihood-related suggestions. The Wenchuan earthquake in 2008 destroyed the roads and bridges connecting the village to the outside world and Yu led her fellow villagers over the mountains to safety. Since then, she has paid particular attention to rural infrastructure and has submitted many related suggestions. Today, Wuxing village has smooth roads and a renewed appearance. A newly built bridge stands higher and wider than before. Villager Wei Yuanding recalled that transporting 40 pigs once required four trips because the old bridge was too narrow. Now, with improved infrastructure, transportation costs have dropped significantly.

On the snowy plateau of Nagqu in Xizang autonomous region, journalists endured altitude sickness to record the story of deputy Chide, Party branch secretary of Porongtang village. Each year she travels over 3,000 kilometers to attend the NPC annual session in Beijing. Rooted in rural vitalization work, she consolidates herders' concerns — livestock rates, improved breeds, cooperative funding — into concrete suggestions brought to Beijing.

The deeper we went into the field, the more vitality our words gained. We have come to understand that the people's congress system remains vibrant because millions of deputies are rooted in the grassroots, enabling whole-process people's democracy to flourish across the nation.

Grasping the essence of endeavor: Performing deputies’ duties in the grand context of national development

For grassroots deputies, the road of endeavor lies in industrial heartlands, revolutionary base areas and reform frontiers. Their footsteps sketch the vast landscape of the country, resounding with the pledge of serving the people.

In Qiqihar, Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, Ma Bing, an NPC deputy and Party branch secretary of the Ma Hengchang Team at Genertec Qiqihar No 2 Machine Tool Co Ltd, works amid the rumble of machinery. "The machining precision requirements are very high, and there's absolutely no room for carelessness in this work," he said. Leading technical breakthroughs and digital upgrading, he has advocated respect for work, vocational education and innovation, giving a voice to industrial workers.

Along winding roads in the Qinba Mountains of Shaanxi province, Zhao Mingcui, an NPC deputy and postal worker, has traveled her delivery route for more than 30 years. "What I deliver is not just mail, but care and connection," she said. Though the winding mountain paths have since turned into open roads, and letter communication has given way to 5G connectivity, her bond with this land and its people remains unchanged. Now, she brings their voices to the Great Hall of the People.

Wang Yongcheng, president of the China Massage Association of Blind Practitioners, lost his sight in an accident but mastered blind massage techniques and trained more than 6,000 visually impaired practitioners. He, as an NPC deputy, has submitted suggestions on publishing large-print textbooks for low-vision students, improving elderly care systems with attention to people with disabilities, and promoting integrated development of disability affairs across the Taiwan Strait. "If you can't see, then listen and feel. If there is an obstacle, step over it," he said.

In Shenshan village of Jinggangshan, Jiangxi province, NPC deputy Zuo Xiangyun, also deputy Party branch secretary of the village, recalled General Secretary Xi's visit in 2016 and his instructions on poverty alleviation. Over the past decade, Zuo led his fellow villagers to develop bamboo wine, rural tourism and red culture education programs, boosting annual per capita income nearly tenfold. He also put forward suggestions on supporting free access to revolutionary sites and increasing fiscal transfer payments, which received attention from relevant authorities.

Experiencing the warmth of democracy: Only by serving the people well can we truly represent them

Ren Shuyuan (center), a deputy to the National People's Congress, introduces local specialties via livestream with fellow villagers. [Photo provided by Ren Shuyuan]

Wherever NPC deputies go, their deep concern for the public brings warmth and reassurance to the people they serve.

In Barkam in Aba Tibetan and Qiang autonomous prefecture, Sichuan province, Geshe Wangmo, an NPC deputy and director of a nursing home, carefully dyes elderly residents' white hair on New Year's Day. Having lost her parents in childhood and been raised by her aunt under the care of the Party and the government, she has devoted 16 years to eldercare. "Guarding happiness" is how she defines her role as a deputy.

NPC deputy Guo Wenbiao, a maritime rescuer in Wenling, Zhejiang province, has braved the sea for 43 years, saving thousands of lives. NPC deputy Yang Jinjun, a village doctor in Hunan province, rides winding mountain roads to treat patients year after year.

Through continuous service, they reflect how deputies' duty performance is rooted in long-term commitment to the people.

In Zunyi, Guizhou province, NPC deputy Li Ying promotes building-based "micro-governance," establishing elderly care services after surveying more than 500 seniors.

Tan Xinping, an NPC deputy and secretary of the general Party branch of Maodian village in Jiangxi province, paves a "path to the city" for agricultural products right to farmers' doorsteps.

NPC deputy Fu Guotao, a senior technician in Chongqing, surveys thousands of workers to advocate skills training. He submitted suggestions on accelerating the training of young skilled personnel and implementing the "Skills in China" Initiative, speaking out for frontline workers.

Xia Yongxiang, an NPC deputy and head of a fishery specialized cooperative in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, proposes displaying deputies' QR codes on fishing boats to better serve fishermen.

The deputies are turning the "list of livelihood issues" into a "bill of happiness" for the people, making them feel that "the people's congress is close by and deputies are right beside them."

Ren Shuyuan, an NPC deputy in Heilongjiang province, sells agricultural products via livestreaming, blazing a trail to prosperity for her fellow villagers.

Lu Man, an NPC deputy and secretary of the general Party branch of Chenjia village in Jiangsu province, listens to villagers' voices with heartfelt dedication and solves their problems with heart and soul.

These touching moments are profound interpretations of responsibility and commitment. The warmth of democracy lies in every detail of deputies’ performance of duties.

Inspiring the strength to move forward: Speaking for the people on their homeland

Song Zhaopu, a traditional Chinese medicine doctor and president of Jingeng Rehabilitation Hospital in Ruzhou, Central China's Henan province, uses pulse diagnosis to learn about the rehabilitation of his patient. [Photo provided to npc.gov.cn]

Looking back is for moving forward. As a new year dawns, deputies embark on a new journey, bringing grassroots voices to the NPC sessions.

In Yucun village of Anji, Zhejiang province, Party secretary Wang Yucheng noted that more than 1,200 young talents now live and work there. He will continue proposing suggestions on green industries and rural vitalization.

In Chibi, Hubei province, Tian Shuxian returned home after graduate studies to establish an ecological base using the "rice-crayfish-duck" model. She submitted suggestions on crop straw utilization and digital agriculture. "I come from the countryside and I hope to do something for my fellow villagers," she said.

Song Zhaopu, a grassroots traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, has provided free rehabilitation therapy to more than 3,200 children with cerebral palsy. Now an NPC deputy, he maintains close ties with the people and explores AI-empowered TCM services to better serve the public. He said he will submit related suggestions for the 2026 NPC session.

Stories of grassroots deputies reflect selfless dedication and unremitting pursuit. Through practical efforts, they demonstrate what it means to serve the people and illustrate the principle that “the people are the masters of the country.”

The horn of a new journey has sounded. Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, deputies will continue to mobilize the people to strive for excellence, consolidate development through solid achievements and march steadfastly toward the grand goals of building China into a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation, contributing their strength as deputies to writing a new chapter in advancing toward the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–30) period.